Shiho Kuwaki
Shiho Kuwaki (Japanese: 桑木 志帆, born 29 January 2003) is a Japanese professional golfer. Kuwaki turned professional in 2021, joining the LPGA of Japan Tour. In 2024 she won her first major championship, the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup. Kuwaki is noted in the Japanese press for her distinctive fashion on tour. Early life and amateur careerKuwaki was born on 29 January 2003 in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture.[1] Kuwaki began playing golf at age four.[2] During junior high school, she won the China Women's Amateur Golf Championship. In high school, she won The One Junior Golf Tournament.[2] Kuwaki is a student at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts.[3] Professional careerKuwaki turned professional in 2021. That year, she won the JLPTGA Rookies Championship Kaga Electronics Cup.[2] In 2023, Kuwaki came in second at the Shiseido Ladies Open after losing a playoff against Kokona Sakurai.[1] Kuwaki became noticeable on tour for her distinctive sportswear by sponsor Loudmouth Golf.[4][5][6] In 2024, Kuwaki enjoyed her best season on the LPGA of Japan Tour, with three tournament wins.[7] In June, she won the Shiseido Ladies Open and in August she won the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament. In November, she won the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup, her first major event.[8][9] During the event, she wore distinctive pants patterned with red lobsters, catching the attention of the Japanese press.[10][11] After winning the tournament, the LPGA of Japan Tour had her handprints cast in bronze in a shopping center in Nishi-Tachi, Miyazaki City.[12] JA Group Okayama, based in her hometown gifted the player 120kg of Okayama-produced rice and 2kg of Okayama Wagyu beef in honor of her three wins.[3] In 2024, she qualified for the AIG Women's Open, but was unable to play due to poor health.[4] Kuwaki finished the 2024 LPGA of Japan Tour season in 6th place.[13] In January 2025, Kuwaki was selected as a designated training player by the Japanese Olympic team.[14] In February, Kuwaki received the Okayama Sports Award, awarded by her hometown for her achievement in sport.[15] That year, Kuwaki made her LPGA Tour debut, playing the U.S. Women's Open, her first major overseas tournament.[16] She made the cut,[17] but later described the tournament as the "hardest one so far".[18] Professional wins (4)LPGA of Japan Tour wins (3)
Tournaments in bold denotes major tournaments in LPGA of Japan Tour. Other wins (1)
Results in LPGA majors
Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut References
External links
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
